In a halogenoalkane (haloalkane or alkyl halide) a halogen (fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine) is bonded to an alkyl group by means of a single C-X bond. They are named as substituted alkanes …
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And if there is more than one halogen in the molecule …
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Halogenoalkanes are commonly used intermediates in organic synthesis. Halogens are more electronegative than carbon which means that these molecules have a polar C-X bond – this makes the molecules more reactive (and useful) than alkanes.
If you are completely new to organic chemistry, then I strongly suggest you start by getting your head around the terminology first!
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Halogenoalkanes / haloalkanes react via a nucleophilic substitution mechanism (SN2)
![](https://i0.wp.com/crunchchemistry.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/haloalkanes-1-2.png?resize=1024%2C1024&ssl=1)
Why are primary halogenoalkanes more reactive than secondary?
What difference does the halogen make? Why do tertiary halogenoalkanes react via the SN1 mechanism?
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Elimination reactions in halogenoalkanes (E2 and E1 mechanism)
![](https://i0.wp.com/crunchchemistry.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/haloalkane-1-1.png?resize=1024%2C1024&ssl=1)
How to prepare a halogenoalkane
from an alkane, an alkene or by halogenation of an alcohol